Commemorating Cinquo de Mayo Island Style

On Monday, May 5, the St. George Island Lighthouse Association celebrated Cinquo de Mayo with music, food and fundraisers and, when the receipts were counted, nearly $20,000 had been added to their coffers.
"We had about 300 people. It was a nice crowd," said Terry Kemp. "We were surprised because it was a Monday night. The publicity provided by the Times and Oyster Radio and Forgotten Coast TV really helped make it a success."
Kemp and Susan McClendon organized the gala although Kemp said McClendon did 80 percent of the work.
The food concession - fajitas served up by Lisle Millard, Richard Saucer and Marti Ray - earned almost $500. Terry Brewer of Harry As donated ingredients for the food with the exception of vegetables, which were donated by John Schultz
The bar, featuring beer donated by Cone Suppliers of Tallahassee and wine provided by Republican National Distributing raked in almost $2,000.
The association raffled off a champagne cruise on George Floyd's yacht, the Heritage, raising an additional $3,200.
Sales from a silent auction, featuring gift items and art donated by many businesses and individuals, brought in $8,600.
Almost $400 was raised by the sale of T-shirts and pins at the event. Kemp said that an additional $3,200 was contributed on Monday night.
McClendon and Kemp thanked everyone who volunteered to help with the event.
Sea Oats Gallery hosted three preview parties to display auction items. Rick Plessinger's Oyster Radio mobile unit supplied much of the music. Joe and Charlotte Bacher hosted the party at Sometimes It's Hotter.
"We were quite pleased with the turnout," said Jim Kemp. "Last year we worked just as hard and only made $9,000."
Winners of this year's Salsa Contest were Barry Walker in first place. His wife, Joyce Walker, took second place for the second year in a row and the People's Choice Award for her pineapple mango salsa. Steve Harris took third for the second year in a row.
Richard Saucer of St. George Island won the Champagne Cruise aboard the Heritage.